Uber Partners with Lucid, Nuro for new Level 4 Robotaxi

Uber, Lucid and Nuro have revealed a joint effort aimed at reshaping urban transportation with a new autonomous electric taxi. The companies plan to begin offering passenger rides in the San Francisco Bay Area later this year, marking a significant step toward large-scale robotaxi deployment.

Each partner plays a distinct role in the project. Lucid supplies the vehicle platform, using its Gravity electric SUV as the foundation. Nuro contributes the autonomous driving system, replacing the human driver with its software-based Nuro Driver. Uber integrates the vehicle into its ride-hailing ecosystem, giving riders access through the familiar Uber app.

In practice, this means customers could soon be picked up by a self-driving Lucid vehicle ordered like any other Uber ride.

The Gravity-based robotaxi, unveiled at CES 2026, has been extensively modified for autonomous operation. Classified as a Level 4 vehicle, it is designed to handle most driving situations independently within defined areas. To achieve this, the vehicle relies on a comprehensive sensor suite combining cameras, radar, and LiDAR.

These sensors are seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s body, along with a roof-mounted “halo” module that provides a full 360-degree view of the surroundings.

At the core of the system is the Nuro Driver software running on Nvidia’s Drive AGX Thor computing platform. This setup processes vast amounts of sensor data in real time, enabling the vehicle to make rapid and safe driving decisions. Road testing of the autonomous Gravity began in December, laying the groundwork for its commercial rollout.

Passenger experience has been a major focus. The roof-mounted halo includes external displays that show riders’ initials as the vehicle approaches, making it easy to identify in crowded locations.

Inside, passengers sit in the second row and are welcomed by a screen that displays their name, route, and trip details. Riders remain in control, initiating the journey themselves by tapping a “Start Drive” command.

During the trip, the screen explains the vehicle’s actions, such as yielding to pedestrians or changing lanes, helping build confidence and transparency. Climate controls, heated seats, and media settings are also accessible, along with options to contact support or request a safe stop.

Designed for practicality, the robotaxi can accommodate up to six passengers with generous luggage space. Lucid is expected to begin production of the autonomous vehicles at its Arizona facility later this year. Uber aims to deploy as many as 20,000 of these robotaxis over six years, with expansion planned across multiple global markets.

Also read: Ford Targets Eyes-Off Highway Driving with Level 3 System Planned for 2028